Visiting Germany/Europe

[spiff]

Hi all,

It'll be my first visit to Germany in July/August (and some of the other countries nearby - unconfirmed yet).
I've been a huge fan of VW (2 sciroccos's, 1 golf and 1 jetta so far) and always maintained that if I ever visited, I would try to incorporate a visit to the VW plant - Wolfsburg.

I'm researching at the moment and am looking at autostadt.de (and the post from NiekSavio), but would also like some opinions and thoughts on other nice places to visit (VW or driving related). I've heard renting a car to drive on the autobahn might be an idea, and also a visit to Nürburgring. I still haven't reached that stage of the research yet.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas, please post and let me know. My main aim at the moment is to visit and see as much of VW's history (and the culture of the town), so planning as much to try and make sure any factory tours/prices/dates/times don't get messed up cos it's a once in a lifetime thing for me.

Spiff

[balkanac]

bmw museum in Munich and nurbergring are good things to see

[geoff_gti]

To drive the Nurburgring is one of my life goals!

I'm jealous already, Europe & in particular Germany, is my next big holiday.

I would also agree the BMW & Porsche museums.

[morgs]

Hi there,

I just got back from a Euro trip last week.
The master plan was to finish off Germany with a 4 lap ring session with an RSR track car. Unfortunately the track was closed for 3 days for maintenance when I arrived in Adenau. (should have checked my dates!!)
We stayed at the Ringvilla which has a live webcam of the Ring gate in the breaky room. Hotel owner completed more than 5000 laps!
Make sure your German road rental car has more hp than our 1.5 diesel for the Autobahn. It managed 200kmph, but it needed run ups to gain access to the far hand left lane!
Heading west from Nuremberg to the ring we encountered constant fluctuating road speeds due to road works and trucks. 30kmph-200kmph-30kmph etc. Still had fun though.

Cheers Morgan

[THE_EGG]

From what I've seen when I went to europe 2 years ago is that if you plan to drive in Europe for more than two weeks, it is cheaper to lease a vehicle than to hire it. I think you contact your local dealership of the brand of car you want to drive in Europe and if you already own that brand you get a discount (at least this is with Citroen anyway). If you have time to go to South Germany I would highly recommend a visit to Stuttgart and visit the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz museums. Very interesting stuff.

[MIRSAD]

From what I've seen when I went to europe 2 years ago is that if you plan to drive in Europe for more than two weeks, it is cheaper to lease a vehicle than to hire it. I think you contact your local dealership of the brand of car you want to drive in Europe and if you already own that brand you get a discount (at least this is with Citroen anyway). If you have time to go to South Germany I would highly recommend a visit to Stuttgart and visit the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz museums. Very interesting stuff.

You can lease only French car - this is link to one of Australian based leasing companies:

Europe Car Leasing - a Cheap Alternative to Car Hire in Europe - globalCARS

Much better than hire: you have full insurance - no access, brand new car, road assistant ...


Jul and Aug last year I leased Peugeot 207 (or 34 days) - picking up in Milan.

Unfortunately you can't lease VW.

and yes you should visit Stuttgart and Munich Auto(land)marks

[THE_EGG]

You can lease only French car - this is link to one of Australian based leasing companies:

Europe Car Leasing - a Cheap Alternative to Car Hire in Europe - globalCARS

Much better than hire: you have full insurance - no access, brand new car, road assistant ...


Jul and Aug last year I leased Peugeot 207 (or 34 days) - picking up in Milan.

Unfortunately you can't lease VW.

and yes you should visit Stuttgart and Munich Auto(land)marks

Ah, I thought you could lease any euro. Wonder if I could lease a DS3 Racing DD Anyway tis a shame I couldn't try out a gti or a bmw 1 series. I totally agree with it being better than hiring vehicles! Did the lease of the 207 work well?

[MIRSAD]

Ah, I thought you could lease any euro. Wonder if I could lease a DS3 Racing DD Anyway tis a shame I couldn't try out a gti or a bmw 1 series. I totally agree with it being better than hiring vehicles! Did the lease of the 207 work well?

Costed me about $2,350.00 (it was auto with GPS) for 34 days.

It was OK - comfortable more than I was expecting - 3,800km in total - first day 700km.

Only problem was acceleration - I have to go with auto (French small car are not good with auto) because my back up driver was my daughter (auto driving licence) and plus last 15 years I am driving on the "wrong" side of the road so was concern how it will be driving again on the "right" side and in Italy.

Biggest problem was exiting petrol stations (between Milan and Trieste) - sometimes you have only 10 - 15 m. to join line of tracks driving 130km/h.

but generally I was very happy.

just one point I wanted to go with Citroen but insurance was not covering outside mirrors - check PDS
plus if you are going to lease French car - try to organise that your pick up and delivery point is in Franc - big saving.

You can always hire car for day or to in Germany - whichever you want.

[phantomcamel]

A note on RENTING cars (not sure about leasing...):
There are certain countries you can't take cars such BMWs, MERCs and so forth such as Italy. So if you plan a Euro trip make sure your read the fine print as in what countries you can take your car to.
I found out the hard way - although I am German I booked here on the Internet. At time of collection I had to fill out a form as to where we were heading & BANG... there goes the idea to take a Beemer down the Autobahn & cross through Switzerland into Italy - ended up with an OPEL!!!

In terms of visiting:
Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg
Home*- Nürburgring take the TAXI first before you attempt to drive it :Co-pilot rides*- Nürburgring
Volkswagen Start: www.autostadt.de
Mercedes Stuttgart factory tour Mercedes-Benz Classic Home - Frequently Asked Questions - Classic Customer Center
BMW Museum Freude entdecken: BMW Welt, Museum und Werk

You could pop into Austria to the kaefermuseum.at: VW Käfer: Und er läuft, und läuft, und läuft ...

For a nice drive without the stress of POLOs overtaking you on the Autobahn , try https://www.romantischestrasse.de/?lang=uk

A drive from my home town Freiburg in the Black ForrestStadt Freiburg im Breisgau: Tourism to Rothaus (Brewery!!)Brauereigasthof Rothaus · Startseite via Titisee for lunch Titisee-Neustadt / Region & Towns / Discover - HTG This a beautiful drive through the Black Forrest - lots of winding roads & different scenery!

For some more engaging driving & awesomeness you'll have to go to the Alps: Top Gear’s World’s Best Driving Road in detail at redlineblog – Indian Car Reviews

[MIRSAD]

A note on RENTING cars (not sure about leasing...):
There are certain countries you can't take cars such BMWs, MERCs and so forth such as Italy. So if you plan a Euro trip make sure your read the fine print as in what countries you can take your car to.
I found out the hard way - although I am German I booked here on the Internet. At time of collection I had to fill out a form as to where we were heading & BANG... there goes the idea to take a Beemer down the Autobahn & cross through Switzerland into Italy - ended up with an OPEL!!!
[/URL]

That was my concern last year and that is one of the reasons (plus new car, no access on insurance claims roadside assistance) why I leased - this is from G/leasing website - plus You receive all papers (including Greene card) 4 weeks before Your trip:

"Where can I drive my Peugeot?
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus~, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France (including Corsica), Germany, Gibraltar, Greece (including Crete and Greek Islands), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy (including Sicily and Sardinia), Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco (compulsory national insurance charge applies locally), Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal (excluding Azores and Madeira), Romania, San Marino, Serbia*, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (excluding Balearics and Canaries), Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom.

The following countries are covered by insurance only: Albania, Belarus, Israel, Iran, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine.

~The cover of insurance provided by the green charts delivered for Cyprus is limited to the geographical parts of Cyprus which are under control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

*The cover of insurance provided by the green charts delivered for Serbia is limited to the Republic of Montenegro and the geographical parts of Serbia which are under control of the government of the Republic of Serbia."

Christian I am not sure that leasing is for You (if You still have German passport) Leasing company can't claim MwSt
so no lease for European Union Passport holders ... or there is some exemption

[spiff]

Thanks all, especially phantomcamel for those other places to visit. Looks like there'll be lots of car places to visit Don't know if I can fit them all in.
I'll have to research those a bit more this week. Definitely don't want to end up in a situation like morgs where the track's closed while I'm there (thanks for the tip on adenau morgs, i'll check that out)

[woofy]

If you duck into the CZ, I've heard the Skoda tours are really good. Last few people who went said they got a personal tour with a lovely Czech girl.....

[Finance_Analyst]

I am going there at the end of may. Researching travel options etc. Coming in from London to Stugart where Benz and Porsche are. Then it is a 5 hr train ride to Wolfsberg

[spiff]

I am going there at the end of may. Researching travel options etc. Coming in from London to Stugart where Benz and Porsche are. Then it is a 5 hr train ride to Wolfsberg

brilliant! hope you'll share your thoughts when you're on your way (or when you're done).
out of curiousity, how much are flights into london for you? i've had a quick gander - and i'm not sure if it's the olympics (a bit early for that i reckon), but to london is the most expensive for me. helsinki's (finair) the cheapest followed by amsterdam (klm/airfrance). i'm using an app called 'skyscanner' (android) recommended by a friend to search for air fares.

[THE_EGG]

I am going there at the end of may. Researching travel options etc. Coming in from London to Stugart where Benz and Porsche are. Then it is a 5 hr train ride to Wolfsberg

You will love those places. Just allow more time for the Mercedes-Benz one as the Porsche one has less detail and is overall smaller than the Mercedes-Benz museum.

I preferred the Porsche one but I am a bit of a Porsche fanatic ;P